Town Plaza Suites: Whistler

Overview:
The Whistler Town Plaza Suites is a collection of three Whistler lodges, Deer, Bear and Eagle Lodges. These three buildings, which comprise the Town Plaza Suites, are located on Whistler Village Stroll, a short 5-minute walk to the lifts and Whistler Village Centre. This is "the" ideal location for your active vacation, as restaurants, retail shops and nightclubs are located on the ground floor of The Whistler Town Plaza Suites.  You cannot get any closer to the heart of the action!

Thoughts:
These are individually owned units that are rented out through a management company.  The location was great and the buildings looked nice even though they are a bit older. They are split into 3 towers spread out around a plaza on the main walk in Whistler.  One major drawback to this is that the facilities like the lobby/gym/hot tub are in separate buildings.  The hot tub was a good size but the gym left something to be desired as it consisted of a stationary bike and a pop machine.

The unit was a nice 2 bedroom suite overlooking the village stroll and was well kept.  The price was affordable compared to the other places in Whistler especially when splitting the cost.

Pros
Cheaper-ish. Centrally located and a short walk to everything in the village.

Cons
Three separate towers with amenities in different towers. Gym was very limited. Parking was extra.

Website: http://www.whistler-townplaza.com/

Dubh Linn Gate: Whistler

Overview
The Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub’s origins are rooted in Ireland’s traditional heritage. Long ago, the name Dubh Linn – Irish for “black pool” – was given to the dark pool of water that still lies today beneath the proud heart of Dublin City. Designed and handcrafted in Ireland, the Dubh Linn Gate Pub was transported piece by piece around the world to the the ground floor of The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. The Dubh Linn Gate is unsurpassed in uniting this exceptional location with authentic Irish pub charm. Opening in May 1998, the pub is decorated to showcase a pictorial journey through Ireland’s culture.

Thoughts
At this Irish Pub the food was good and the atmosphere was great. Located right at the base of the ski hill in the middle of Whistler Village, this pub offered a great patio view of the ski hill. Service was a bit slower but that is most likely due to how busy the place usually is.

Pros
Good food, live music and a nice selection of drinks.

Cons
Expensive and service was slow.

Overall
3.5/5
The price and slow service brought this down but it was a place I would visit again.

Website: http://www.dubhlinngate.com/

Tough Mudder: Whistler

This 12 mile, 22 obstacle course was designed by British Special Forces and will definitely test your physical endurance.  Around 15,000 people participated at the event held out in the Callaghan Valley at the site of the Cross Country and biathlon events of the 2010 Olympic Games.

There is an age limit on participants so it is not entirely a family event, and it was difficult for spectators to get to the majority of the obstacles so they did not get to catch a lot of their friends and family.

If you are an outdoor adrenaline enthusiast or like a challenge then this is the event for you.

Rating: 3.5/5

Thoughts: Lost a couple of points for the fact that a family could not enjoy the event but it is something to try once.  Although the cost is high for participating, the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Website: http://www.toughmudder.com

Sea to Sky Highway

Great views and lots of wildlife can be seen along this stretch of road that takes you from ocean-side Squamish all the up high into the mountain ski resort of Whistler. Lots of viewpoints along this route give you plenty of information on the local history and provide stunning scenery for pictures.

Trip Time: 1 hour

Distance: 60 km

4/5

Although most of the way is 2 lanes it does drop down to 1 often enough to trap you behind a slow moving vehicle

Whistler

Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination. Consistently ranked the number one mountain resort in North America, Whistler features two majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding, four championship golf courses, more than 200 shops, 90 restaurants and bars, accommodation galore, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world.

Activities:Lots of outdoor activities to do here, from biking, hiking, golf, and fishing in the summer, to skiing, sledding, climbing and snow-shoeing in the winter.
 5/5

Events:
Famous for big events such as Crankworks, Tough Mudder, and many more this place always has something going on. Although most events are family friendly they tend to attract a rowdier crowd most of the time especially during the evenings but there is always something to do with the family at all times during the year.
4.5/5

View:
Plenty of hiking and great views. Even if you manage to hike everywhere in Whistler there is always something new within a 30 minute drive. Plenty of wildlife and scenery.
5/5

Accommodations:
Plenty of accommodations in and around the village where everything is centrally located and within walking distance. Unless you find a deal though you will be paying a premium price on all lodging here.
3.5/5

Food & Shopping:
Again a great selection of dining and small local shops but you will have to pay a little bit more. Also during an event with a lot of people in town you must be prepared to wait a little bit for you seat and service.
3/5

Visit-ability:
A must see place that has a lot to offer. Even if it is just a day trip to see some of the views and take a quick walk around the village, but would be better experienced over a few days. One could easily spend a week here.
5/5

Total Rating: 26/30

Thoughts: This is a great place to visit. One of my personal favourites except for the cost.

Website: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com

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